Burglary-preventative profile set and a profiled strip for application therein

ABSTRACT

A burglary-preventative profile set for a panel (3) which is movably mounted with respect to a frame (4), comprising two profiled strips (1,2) which mutually cooperate so as to cover a chink (5) between the panel (3) and the frame (4), at least in the closed position of the panel (3). The chink is thus rendered inaccessible to a jemmy, crowbar or other such instrument. Both strips (1,2) comprise a U-profile with a short leg (8) and a long leg (9), whereby the long leg (9) comprises an inward buckle (93) which acts as a transition between two mutually parallel parts (91,92), which parts (91,92) lie in displacement with respect to one another across at least the thickness (d) of the strip (1,2).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a burglary-preventative profile set for a panelwhich is movably mounted with respect to a frame, comprising twoelongated profiled strips for respective attachment to the panel and theframe, which strips mutually cooperate, at least when in the mountedstate, so as to cover a chink between the panel and the frame, at leastin the closed position of the panel. The invention also relates to aprofiled strip for application in such a set.

Such a profile set is generally employed in the case of doors andwindows which are attached to a frame so as to be turnable or slidable,and is generally manufactured from metal or another robust material. Insuch a scenario, one of the two strips is mounted on the lock side ofthe window or the door, whereas the other strip is attached to theneighboring cornice of the frame. In the closed state of the panel, thetwo strips engage, or otherwise cooperate in such a manner as tocompletely cover the chink between the panel and the frame from theoutside. The said chink is hereby made inaccessible to a jimmy, crowbaror other such instrument with which the panel could be forced out of theframe.

A set of the type stated in the preamble is known from an internationalpatent application in the name of the current applicant, which was laidopen to public inspection under the number 89/04907. The set describedtherein comprises two profiled metal strips which, at least in theclosed state of the panel, close around one another at the lock side ofthe panel at the location of the chink, thereby closing off the chink.The strips are mounted on the outside of the panel, and thereby renderthe chink externally inaccessible to a jimmy or other such instrument.

As it is, the known burglary-preventative profile sets offer efficaciousburglary prevention. However, in many cases, the known sets are suchthat the screw or clamping organs with which the strips are attached canalso be accessed in the closed state, in the case one or both strips.For this reason, use should be made of burglary-preventative organs,which are relatively expensive and which do not allow subsequentadjustment of the strip concerned.

It is true that the known set of two purely U-shaped strips does nothave this drawback, but the covering of the mounting holes in such a setmakes mounting considerably more difficult. especially in the case ofthe strip which is to be attached to the frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is inter alia an object of the invention to provide aburglary-preventative profile set of the type stated in the preamble, inwhich the attachment apertures are completely covered in the closedstate, and which does not suffer from this drawback. A further object ofthe invention is to provide a burglary-preventative profile set of thetype stated in the preamble, which consists of two profiles of the sameform and consequently offers industrial-economic advantages. Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a profile set of the type statedin the preamble, which is relatively compact. A further object of theinvention is to provide a profile set of the type stated in thepreamble, which, if so desired, can be adjusted with relative ease.Moreover, it is an object of the invention to provide a profile set ofthe type stated in the preamble, which offers increased burglaryprevention.

To this end, a profile set of the type stated in the preamble ischaracterized according to the invention in that both profiled stripscomprise a U-profile with a short leg and a long leg, and that the longleg comprises an inward buckle such that the long leg comprises twoparts which are practically mutually parallel and which, at least acrossthe thickness of the profile, lie in displacement with respect to oneanother and pass into one another via the buckle.

The fact that both strips in this set are of the same form is of greatadvantage from the point of view of profile production, whereby it isnow no longer necessary to adapt machines or to employ a second,relatively expensive mold, thereby resulting in faster production and,consequently, lower costs. However, the set according to the inventionnot only leads to evident industrial-economic advantages: the setadditionally offers excellent burglary-preventative properties. In theclosed state of the panel, the long leg of each of the strips lies overthe short leg of the other strip. The strips in the set consequentlydemonstrate a double interlock, whereby, for the profile set accordingto the invention, in the closed state of the panel, the chinks mutuallylocated between the two strips are virtually inaccessible to a jimmy orother such instrument. Not only is the chink between the panel and theframe, in the closed state of the panel, thus rendered inaccessible to ajimmy or other such instrument, but, most importantly, the set itself isinternally inaccessible, whereby an additional barrier is created. As aresult, the profile set offers double burglary prevention, and must bedoubly jarred open in order to get at the chink between the panel andthe frame. In addition, the set according to the invention cannot beremoved on a strip-by-strip basis: in order to remove the set, one mustwork concurrently on both strips, which acts as a further deterrent toburglary.

The mounting holes, and the fixing organs located therein for thepurpose of attaching the strips, are also completely hidden in theclosed state, and thus inaccessible. As a result, ordinary screws can beemployed as the fixing organs. Not only are normal screws considerablyless expensive than burglary-preventative mono-directional screws, butnormal screws are also easier to manage for the average do-it-yourselfenthusiast. An additional advantage of the use of normal screws is thusthat, if so desired, the strips can afterward be screwed loose andscrewed tight as required, which considerably simplifies subsequentadjustment.

The invention succeeds, moreover, in realising this combination ofadvantages in an extremely compact and a particularly slender form,which is not only highly desirable from an aesthetic point of view but,above all, almost always allows the set according to the invention tofit in practice between an existing frame and any door or window unitwhich may be present. Moreover, the bends in the strips lend additionalstability and strength thereto, whereby it is possible to achieve eitherincreased burglary prevention or savings on material.

In order to simplify mounting the strips in the case of thispreferential embodiment, a first part of the long leg of the U-profilepreferably extends beyond the short leg thereof. ln this manner, themounting holes which are created in the first part of one of the twoprofiles, and the screw or binding organs to be placed therein, arealways directly accessible to a screwdriver or other such instrumentplaced at right angles thereto. This considerably simplifies mounting ascompared to, for example, the known set of two purely U-shaped strips,in which the mounting apertures in one of the two strips are onlyaccessible to such an instrument at an angle.

In practice, it transpires that the strips in the set sometimes yieldwith respect to one another after long usage, which can impede openingand closing of the panel in some cases. Subsequent adjustment of thestrips in the known profile set is however, virtually impossible. Apreferential embodiment of a burglary-preventative profile set accordingto the invention is less sensitive to this yielding tendency and, aboveall, is in no way impeded when it comes to subsequent (re)adjustment ofthe set. This preferential embodiment is characterized according to theinvention in that at least one of the profiled strips is provided with anumber of slotted apertures for the acceptance of fixing organs for thepurpose of attaching the strip, and that the slotted apertures extend ina direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the strip.

The inventors have recognized that the yielding of both strips withrespect to one another is caused by expansion and contraction of theframe, and particulary the panel, as a result of varying weatherconditions. By ensuring, in accordance with this embodiment, that atleast the strip which is to be attached to the panel is attached theretoby means of the aforementioned slotted apertures, it is possible toaccommodate in the fixing apertures the expansional and contractionalbehavior of at least the panel, thereby removing the principal cause oflong-term yielding of the strips. Moreover, thanks to the slotted holes,and the possibility of using "ordinary" (i.e. non-burglary-preventative)fixing organs, the strip concerned can be adjusted with relative ease atany time.

In a particular embodiment, both profiled strips are embodied withslotted apertures which extend in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal direction of the profile associated therewith. In thatcase, the occurrence of warp in the panel, as well as any warp in theframe, can be accommodated in the slotted apertures, and both stripscan, if so desired, be subsequently adjusted at will, which is ofimmediate advantage during placement of the set.

In the interest of optimal attachment of the strips, the slottedapertures therein are preferably disposed at regular distances along atleast substantially the entire length of the strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further elucidated with the aid of a number ofembodiments and a drawing, in perspective, wherein,

FIG. 1 depicts a preferential embodiment of a burglary-preventativeprofile set according to the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a first profiled strip of the set in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a second profiled strip of the set in FIG. 1.

The figures are purely schematic, and are not drawn to scale. Inparticular, some dimensions are strongly exaggerated for the purpose ofclarity. Corresponding parts in the drawing are denoted by the samereference number, in so far as this is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, a burglary-preventative profile set is employed on aninward-hinging panel 3, such as a window or door, for example. The setcomprises two substantially identical profiled strips 1,2, which areseparately depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. The employment of identicalstrips, in so far as this is possible, is particularly economical fromthe point of view of manufacturing technology, since it necessitates theuse of only one, relatively expensive manufacturing mold or roll.

A first strip 1 of both strips is mounted on the outside 31 of the panel3, and a second strip 2 is attached to the frame 4. For purposes ofclarity, only the lock sides of the panel 3 and the frame 4 aredepicted. The strips 1,2 both comprise a U-profile with a short leg 8and a long leg 9. The long leg 9 is thereby provided with an inwardbuckle 93 which acts as a transition between two mutually parallel parts91,92, which parallel parts 91,92 lie in displacement with respect toone another across at least the thickness d of the strip.

In the depicted closed state of the panel 3, both profiles 1,2interlock, whereby the long leg 9 of each of the profiles 1,2 lies overthe short leg 8 of the other profile. In this manner, not only is thesplit 5 between the panel and the frame adequately sealed, but, aboveall, the set itself is internally inaccessible to a jimmy or other suchinstrument, whereby an additional barrier is created and, moreover, thefixing organs can not be reached from outside. The strips 1,2 cantherefore be attached using "ordinary" fixing organs, such as screws ornails, and thus do not necessitate the use of anti-burglary variantsthereof. Not only does this lead to an important reduction in costs: inaddition, the fixing screws can be screwed loose and screwed tight onceagain at any time, which simplifies subsequent adjustment of the strips1,2. Moreover, the chink 51 between the strips themselves is, as aresult of the fact that its entrance is faced towards the panel 3,practically inaccessible to a jimmy or other such instrument, as aresult of which the depicted set offers particularly adequateburglary-prevention. Moreover, the set achieves these advantages in aparticularly compact form, which is inter alia of importance from anaesthetic point of view, and which almost always allows the set to beused in conjunction with an existing door or window unit.

So as to prevent the two strips 1,2 themselves from being forced apartusing a jimmy or other such instrument, the space between them should,in principle, be as small as possible. Accordingly, the play betweenboth strips 1,2 is only slight. As a result of the inevitable effects ofweather, the frame 4. and the panel 3 in particular, will both contractand expand to a certain extent. So as to prevent consequent displacementof the strips 1,2 with respect to one another, with the attendantsignificant risk that, in the long term, the panel 3 will no longer openand close properly, it is preferable, such as in this embodiment, toembody the first strip 1 with slotted mounting apertures 6 which extendin a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the strip 1and with which the strip 1 is attached to the panel 3. In the interestof rigid attachment, the mounting apertures 6 are thereby disposed atregular distances along substantially the entire length.

As a result of the slotted form, the screws 7 have a certain play in theapertures 6, whereby the panel 3 can warp in the transverse directionwithout the first strip 1 being displaced with respect to the secondstrip 2. If, despite this, the first strip 1 nevertheless is displaced,so that the panel 3 can no longer be opened and closed freely, then thestrip 1 can be adjusted at any time, thanks to the slotted form of theapertures 6. This also guarantees satisfactory opening and closing ofthe panel in the long run.

Because the frame 4 warps to a considerably smaller extent in thetransverse direction than does the panel 3, and because an axialdisplacement of the second profile 2 has less effect on the mobility ofthe panel 3, it is often unnecessary to provide slotted holes therein,and conventional round apertures for the screw or clamping means 7 willoften suffice for attachment of the second strip 2. If so desired,however, it is also possible, as in this example, to provide the secondstrip 2 with slotted mounting apertures, analogous to the apertures 6 inthe first strip 1.

The mutual dimensioning of both legs of the U-profiles, which isresponsible for the fact that the first part 91 of the long leg 9 of thesecond strip, together with the slotted apertures therein, extendsbeyond the short leg 8 (see FIG. 5), accordingly simplifies the task ofmounting, since the apertures 6 are thus completely exposed, and thefixing organs can continually be accessed from a perpendiculardirection. In this manner, one avoids having to hammer in nails or screwin screws at an angle.

Although the invention hereabove is further elucidated using only a fewembodiments, it will be clear that the invention is in no way restrictedto the tendered examples. On the contrary, there are many furthervariations and working forms possible within the scope of the invention.For example, in all the tendered examples, either both strips or justone of the two strips can be embodied with slotted apertures for thepurpose of strip-attachment.

Moreover, it is possible in the case of the profile set according to theinvention to provide conventional round attachment apertures in bothconstituent strips. The set thereby preserves the advantages pertainingspecifically to such an embodiment.

In general, the present invention provides a burglary-preventativeprofile set which is relatively insensitive to possible expansional andcontractional behaviour of the panel, and which, above all, lends itselfto easy subsequent adjustment. Furthermore, it provides aburglary-preventative profile set which offers exceptionally effectiveburglary prevention in a relatively compact manner.

What is claimed:
 1. A burglary-preventative profile set for a panelwhich is movably mounted with respect to a frame, the set comprising twoelongated profiled strips for respective attachment to the panel and theframe, both said profiled strips comprising a U-profile with a short legand a long leg, each said long leg comprising an inward buckle such thatsaid long leg comprises two parts which are substantially parallel andwhich are displaced with respect to one another and pass into oneanother via the said buckle.
 2. A burglary-preventive profile setaccording to claim 1, wherein a first part of the long leg of theU-profile extends beyond the short leg when said two strips are joinedtogether.
 3. A burglary-preventative profile set according to claim 1,wherein at least one of the profiled strips is provided with a number ofslotted apertures for the acceptance of fixing organs for the purpose ofattaching the one profiled strip, and wherein the slotted aperturesextend in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the oneprofiled strip.
 4. A burglary-preventative profile set according toclaim 3, wherein the slotted apertures are disposed at regular distancesalong substantially the entire length of the one profiled strip.
 5. Aburglary-preventative profile set according to claim 1, wherein bothsaid profiled strips are provided with slotted apertures which extend ina direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the respectiveprofiled strips.